Retail giant the Shoprite Group has powered up its 100th solar photovoltaic (PV) system – at Shoprite Morula in Tshwane – more than ten years after launching its first solar project in 2015. 

With an installed capacity of more than 43 300 kWp, the company says it solar portfolio ranks among the largest of any South African private company. 

Currently, the retailer’s rooftop solar systems generate enough clean electricity to power nearly 12 300 households a year. 

“In 2015, we made a long-term commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and play an active role in addressing South Africa’s energy challenges,” says Shoprite Checkers chief sustainability officer Sanjeev Raghubir.

“The installation of our 100th solar PV system reflects the significant progress we have made in recent years.

“Our accelerated efforts to meet science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy are crucial steps on the path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

In the 2025 financial year, 7.2% of the group’s electricity came from renewable sources, up from 6.5% in the 2024 financial year.

This number was above the group’s internal target.

The retailer consumed 151 243 MWh of renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions by 137 026 tCO₂e.

In addition to the PV installations, Shoprite Checkers has also fitted 1 397 refrigerated truck trailers with solar panels, which has seen it save 3.2 litres of diesel per trailer per day, and reducing emissions by an extra 6 000 tCO₂e.

The retailer says it is exploring new additions to its portfolio of wheeling projects – where electricity is bought and sold between private parties over the existing transmission grid – to further diversify and expand its renewable energy sources. 

In 2024, the group became one of the first companies to wheel renewable electricity through the City of Cape Town’s grid.

Shoprite Checkers is currently wheeling electricity to eleven sites, including its home office in Brackenfell, and is actively seeking further wheeling partners.

“Our focus is on scaling these initiatives by increasing solar installations and expanding wheeling arrangements across our supermarkets and distribution centres,” says Raghubir.

“We will continue to engage with landlords and partners to unlock greater access to clean energy, particularly in malls where we don’t own the rooftops.”